The development of information technology has been used for many educational
digital materials for learning. In this study, contrast to conventional textbooks, digital
textbooks were developed to complement the functional limitations of the existing
space without regard to time. To provide educational services in schools or at homes,
all forms of multimedia can be used as potential learning materials. With the goal to
be developed by 2015, this project targets the commercialization of digital textbooks
for special education, particularly for subjects with visual impairment and who need
accommodation. In this study, teachers from a visual impairment school were
surveyed to understand their awareness of the current development and utilization of
digital textbooks. These school teachers ranged in visual impairment from complete
blindness to no impairments. Based on this research, the ongoing digital textbook
project will be considered to meet the challenges and needs of students with
disabilities. The following questions have been established to explore the research
issues.
From the perspective of the teachers who work at a who work in a visually
impaired school, that have and do not have visual impairments, what are the
perceptions on the development and utilization of digital textbooks?
1. What are the perceptions of development of digital textbooks?
2. What are the perceptions of utilization of the digital textbooks?
To solve these questions, there are five research processes: selecting and
developing of research tools to study, selecting questions, conducting a preliminary
survey, modifying questions, conducting the survey, and analyzing the data. I
conducted the survey research with Research of Digital Textbooks Guidelines for
Special Education about Accessibility in Design and Evaluation. In this survey
showed that how teachers are aware the development and utilization of the digital
textbook.
The findings of the surveys on the result is that for the development and utilization
of digital textbooks for special education to be recognized, considering visual
impairment, they must be able to be converted to hearing or speech materials, and
they should be included in the design and form of such support. In addition, low
vision teachers who have partial sight wanted digital textbooks that can be adapted to
their own required characteristics. Although the teachers’ awareness of the preparation
and development statuses were low, the teachers showed high desire to utilize the
digital textbooks in the future. The teachers selected that self-directed learning was
the most valuable function and as follows practices-drills learning in order.
Based on the results of this study, I confirmed that the awareness of visual school
teacher that about the development and utilization of digital textbooks are significant
for implement. Through this, it provides some information of the conditions. Digital
textbooks will become commercially available in 2015 which will be aimed at current
teachers. The target will be those with visual impairment, one of the most eligible
impairments in special education. Digital textbooks will focus more on special
education situations rather than general education situations.